Knights

Knights were heavily armed medieval warriors who primarily served as mounted cavalry during the Middle Ages, roughly from the 9th to the 15th century. Originating in early medieval Europe, their role evolved from local aristocratic fighters to professional soldiers and a symbol of chivalry and nobility.

The typical knight was a member of the noble class and often came from landowning families. They trained from a young age in martial skills, horsemanship, and the conduct expected of their social rank. To become a knight, a young noble usually underwent a period of training as a page and then a squire before being dubbed "knight" in a ceremonial act.

Knights were equipped with armor, often made of chainmail or plate armor, and fought primarily with swords, lances, and shields. Their armor protected them in combat, while their horses provided mobility and height advantage on the battlefield. The mounted combat style was central to their military strategy.

Beyond warfare, knights played key roles in the feudal system, offering military service and protection to their lord's estate in exchange for land and resources. They also upheld the ideals of chivalry, which emphasized virtues such as bravery, loyalty, and protection of the weak.

By the late medieval period, the importance of knights declined due to changes in military technology, such as the use of crossbows and gunpowder, as well as the rise of professional armies. Nonetheless, the cultural and symbolic legacy of knights endures, representing ideals of valor and noble conduct in Western history.